Episodi

  • Season 5 Ep 4 | Jenna Blum | Changing Genres, Creative Identity, & the Business of Writing

    Season 5 Ep 4 | Jenna Blum | Changing Genres, Creative Identity, & the Business of Writing
    Jan 13 2026
    This episode of Some Things Considered features the always-brilliant Jenna Blum, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of Those Who Save Us, The Stormchasers, The Lost Family, Woodrow on the Bench, and her forthcoming psychological thriller Murder Your Darlings (out January 2026). It's a wide-ranging, candid conversation about writing across genres, the realities of literary success, and what it really means to build a sustainable creative life. Murder Your Darlings & Genre Shifts Jenna's first psychological thriller Why she chose to tackle the genre now Writing across historical fiction, memoir, contemporary fiction, and thriller Following curiosity over market expectations Using genre shifts as creative challenges (No spoilers — you'll have to read the book.) Success, Industry & Change Life as a New York Times bestseller — inspiration and envy How publishing and promotion have changed since the early 2000s The impact of social media on writers and careers Audience, Promotion & Showing Up Jenna's genuine love of touring, events, and reader engagement Rewriting the rules early on for building an audience Being present online and on the road — without losing balance Letting go of what writers can't control Community, Teaching & A Mighty Blaze The ongoing work behind A Mighty Blaze Why literary community matters (including micro-communities) How Jenna's approach to teaching has evolved over the past decade I hope this episode will encourage you to not only buy Jenna's book, but get one for a friend, spread the word, and explore the remarkable work she's been doing. I celebrate Jenna as the ideal literary citizen and a ceaseless source of knowledge and inspiration! ABOUT JENNA BLUM Instagram: @jenna_blumX: @Jenna_BlumFacebook: facebook.com/JennaBlumAuthor TikTok: @jennablumauthorWebsite: jennablum.com Subscribe to Jenna Blum on Substack ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live X: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b
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    1 ora e 1 min
  • Season 5 Ep 3 | Tim Wendel | Baseball, History, and Craft

    Season 5 Ep 3 | Tim Wendel | Baseball, History, and Craft
    Jan 6 2026
    In this episode, I speak with award-winning author and Johns Hopkins writing professor Tim Wendel, whose books include Summer of '68, Castro's Curveball, Cancer Crossings, and his newest novel Rebel Falls. Tim is productive, well-read, and well-traveled, so our conversation inexorably covered a great deal of ground, and some topics include: Baseball & storytelling: How the game shaped Tim's life as a writer; the mythology of Bull Durham; the legend of Steve Dalkowski. Substack & citizen historians: Why Tim believes everyday people must help preserve historical truth, especially amid 2025's wave of historical erasure. History as many stories: Why the meaning of history changes depending on who tells it—and why authoritarian regimes always try to control the narrative. Travel as antidote to prejudice: In the spirit of Mark Twain, how Tim's global reporting career shaped his worldview and fuels empathy. Censorship & cultural retreat: The rise of anti-Humanities rhetoric, the danger of "whitewashing" civil rights history, and why cultural amnesia is alarming. Artists and athletes as change agents: Jackie Robinson, jazz musicians, and others who changed America while facing enormous resistance. Teaching writing today: Tim's advice to students, the challenges and opportunities of AI, and why craft still matters. I hope you find Tim as refreshing and informative as I do: he's versatile, curious, and passionate–and cares deeply about why stories matter, and how to tell them. Tim Wendel's books include SUMMER OF '68, CASTRO'S CURVEBALL, CANCER CROSSINGS and other works. His latest, the historical novel REBEL FALLS, won the W.Y. Boyd Award from the American Library Association. A longtime writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University, his stories and columns have appeared in Esquire, GQ, Gargoyle, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Psychology Today and National Geographic. ABOUT TIM WENDEL Instagram: @timlwendelLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tim-wendel-39973 Facebook: facebook.com/TimWendelBooksWebsite: timwendel.com Endnotes & Backstory A eclectic look at history, culture and sports by Tim Wendel, a longtime writer-in-residence at Johns Hopkins University. By Tim Wendel ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live X: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    1 ora e 6 min
  • From Prison to Advocacy: Stephanie Shepard on Justice and Reform

    From Prison to Advocacy: Stephanie Shepard on Justice and Reform
    Dec 16 2025
    In this episode, I speak with Stephanie Shepard, Executive Director of Last Prisoner Project. She was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a first-time, nonviolent cannabis offense and now leads the Last Prisoner Project (LPP). Her story—and her advocacy—reveals the human cost of the War on Drugs and the urgent need for restorative justice. Some key takeaways from our conversation include: Stephanie's story: From her 2010 conviction and nine-year sentence to becoming Executive Director of LPP. What LPP does: Freeing cannabis prisoners, record clearance, reentry support, and policy reform. Breaking myths: The legacy of "Just Say No," drug panic politics, and bipartisan failures from Nixon to Clinton. Narrative & policy: How storytelling shifts public perception and drives real legislative change. Where we are now: Cannabis tolerated or legal while people remain imprisoned; opioid crisis reframes priorities. Human impact: Individual cases showing how lives are disrupted—and rebuilt—through LPP's work. Mobilizing advocates: How people affected by incarceration become powerful voices for reform. LPP's current battles: Clemency, resentencing, expungement, and federal reform. Goals ahead: Expanding services, increasing national awareness, and pushing comprehensive drug reform. What everyone should know: Drug policy is political—not scientific—and justice requires empathy and action. I'm so grateful for, and inspired by this conversation. I encourage everyone to listen and share, and get involved: spreading the word and supporting justice for all Americans is an essential act not only for activists, but patriots. Stephanie was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana in 2010. As a first-time, non-violent offender, Stephanie was sentenced to ten years in the Federal Bureau Of Prisons. After serving nine years, she was placed on federal probation for an additional five years. She now serves as Last Prisoner Project's Executive Director and sits on the organization's Board of Directors. She is adamantly advocating for restorative justice for those who have suffered as she has from the criminalization of cannabis. ABOUT STEPHANIE SHEPARD Instagram: @lastprisonerproject @stephy_sheps X: @lastprisonerprj Facebook: facebook.com/lastprisonerproject Website: lastprisonerproject.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/lastprisonerproject ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber at seanmurphy.live ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live X: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    1 ora e 5 min
  • Season 5 Ep 1 | Matt Davis | What does Mount Rushmore tell us about America?

    Season 5 Ep 1 | Matt Davis | What does Mount Rushmore tell us about America?
    Dec 9 2025
    Some Things Considered returns with our fifth season, and we could not be more excited. Episode One features Matthew Davis, with whom I speak about his new book Biography of a Mountain, an in-depth examination of Mt. Rushmore as both a monument and a metaphor for America. Drawing on years of research and personal engagement with the Black Hills, Davis unpacks the layered histories, mythologies, and political tensions embedded in this iconic site. We cover a ton of ground, and highlights include: Why Mt. Rushmore: How Davis realized this was the book he needed to write — and why the mountain mirrors the American story. Many Americas: Mt. Rushmore as a metaphor for the evolving, often conflicting visions of what "America" means. Native history: The mountain's sacred role long before white settlement, and how Indigenous perspectives were erased or overwritten. Power & narrative: Who tells America's story? Who benefits? Why monuments become battlegrounds. Gutzon Borglum: The ambition, ego, and controversy surrounding the monument's creator — including his troubling political ties. Author in the narrative: Why Davis chose to include his own journey, and how personal context strengthens historical storytelling. The paradox of monuments: How the same statue symbolizes pride to some and oppression to others — and what that reveals about American identity. Relevance in 2025: How Davis's research unexpectedly speaks to today's political climate and the weaponization of history. Trump, Reagan, and symbolism: The modern fight over commemoration, legacy, and political mythmaking. What the mountain teaches us: Reflections on history, country, culture, and narrative itself. It's always a pleasure to speak with Matt, whom I consider a good friend, colleague, and source of inspiration. His book could hardly be more timely–and it adds valuable insights for an America that, in 2025, is as complicated and bifurcated as ever. Matthew Davis is the author of When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter's Tale. His work has appeared in the New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Review of Books and Guernica, among other places. He has been an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellow at New America, a Fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and a Fulbright Fellow to Syria and Jordan. He holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from the University of Iowa and an MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Davis lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, a diplomat, and their two young kids. ABOUT MATT DAVIS Website: matthewdaviswriter.com ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live Twitter: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    1 ora e 2 min
  • Season 4 Ep 11 | Karen E. Bender | Literary Fiction, Storytelling, and the Times We Live In

    Season 4 Ep 11 | Karen E. Bender | Literary Fiction, Storytelling, and the Times We Live In
    Oct 7 2025

    What is the role of literary fiction in 2025? Is it simply escapism, or is it something deeper — a mirror to the world we inhabit, a lens on its inequities, contradictions, and quiet truths? In my latest episode of Some Things Considered, I spoke with Karen E. Bender, National Book Award finalist and author of The Words of Dr. L, to explore these questions.

    Karen's new collection is a meditation on our times. Her stories navigate the uneasy space between overt political urgency and narrative subtlety, achieving what only the most mature and authoritative fiction can: illuminating society without sacrificing character or craft. We talked about how her stories came together, the delicate process of unifying disparate pieces into a cohesive collection, and how she chooses between writing short fiction or novels.

    We also discussed the realities of the literary ecosystem today. Universities and festivals that once nurtured writers are under threat — including the recent cancellation of the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, a hub of creative excellence for decades. Karen reflected on the growing importance of nonprofits, activism, and community support to sustain writers and their work in challenging times.

    Throughout our conversation, one thing became clear: literary fiction matters now more than ever. It helps us reflect, empathize, and engage with our world in ways that journalism, social media, or fleeting news cycles cannot. Karen's insights remind us that stories are not just entertainment — they are essential.

    ABOUT KAREN E. BENDER

    Website: karenebender.com
    Facebook: facebook.com/KarenEBenderBooks

    ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED

    Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression.

    To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY

    Website: seanmurphy.net
    Substack: seanmurphy.live
    Twitter: @bullmurph
    Instagram: @bullmurph
    Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    1 ora e 1 min
  • Season 4 Ep 10 | Caroline Bock & Jona Colson | Talking "America's Future" with Washington Writer's Publishing House

    Season 4 Ep 10 | Caroline Bock & Jona Colson | Talking "America's Future" with Washington Writer's Publishing House
    Sep 30 2025
    In this episode of Some Things Considered, I'm joined by Caroline Bock and Jona Colson, co-presidents of Washington Writers' Publishing House. They are two of my favorite DC-area writers and advocates, but today we gather to discuss–and celebrate–the publication of a brand new anthology "America's Future: poetry & prose in response to tomorrow." Caroline is the author of the story collection "Carry Her Home" and Jona's poetry collection "Said Through Glass" (both published in 2018). Washington Writers' Publishing House is the longest, continuously operating nonprofit, cooperative, literary organization in the United States. Established in 1975 in our nation's capital, we have published over 100 volumes of poetry as well in more recent years fiction and nonfiction. We discuss: The conception and labor of love that culminated in this anthology. The role of community, both local and global, to curate and publish writers. Why this collection coincides with the 50th anniversary of WWPH's founding. The intersections of writing, teaching, editing, and organizing. How the written word can–and must–speak to today's sociopolitical confusion and turmoil. Jona and Caroline also read their pieces from the new collection. These two literary citizens have established themselves as vital and indispensable forces not only for DC-Metro artistic community, but are working to publish and promote inclusive, relevant writing to showcase why creativity and story matter most of all during uncertain times. ABOUT CAROLINE BOCK Instagram: @carolinebockauthor Twitter/X: @cabockwrites Website: carolinebockofficialauthorsite.wordpress.com ABOUT JONA COLSON Instagram: @jonacolsonpoet Facebook: facebook.com/jonacolsonpoet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonacolsonpoet Website: https://jonacolson.com ABOUT WASHINGTON WRITERS' PUBLISHING HOUSE Instagram: @writingfromwwph Facebook: facebook.com/WashingtonWritersPublishingHouse Twitter/X: @WWPHPress Website: washingtonwriters.org ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression. ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY Website: seanmurphy.net Substack: seanmurphy.live Twitter: @bullmurph Instagram: @bullmurph Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    1 ora e 2 min
  • Season 4 Ep 9 | Karen Eber | The Art & Science of Storytelling

    Season 4 Ep 9 | Karen Eber | The Art & Science of Storytelling
    Sep 23 2025

    In this episode of Some Things Considered, I sit down with Karen Eber — TED speaker, award-winning author of The Perfect Story, and former Fortune 500 executive whose talks have reached millions worldwide. Karen specializes in the science and skill of storytelling, helping leaders and creatives alike use stories to inform, influence, and inspire.

    The conversation explores:

    • The science of storytelling: what happens in the brain when a story works, and why humans are wired to connect through narrative.

    • What makes a story succeed—or fail: common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

    • Trust and connection: how storytellers can build authenticity and credibility with their audiences.

    • Inherited stories and bias: recognizing how cultural, familial, and corporate narratives shape our beliefs and choices.

    • Choosing which story to tell: balancing timeless themes with timely resonance.

    • Introverts as storytellers: why some of the best storytellers aren't the loudest voices in the room.

    • Story in leadership and business: from media to the courtroom to the boardroom, the most effective leaders leverage story to motivate and inspire.

    • Data storytelling: transforming raw information into narratives that resonate and drive action.

    • Storytelling in the age of AI and misinformation: why the best defense against "bad stories" and fake narratives is to tell better ones.

    This episode offers both practical insights and big-picture reflections on how stories shape our lives, our decisions, and our culture.

    ABOUT KAREN EBER

    Instagram: @kareneber1
    Twitter: @KarenEber1
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kareneber
    Website: kareneber.com

    ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED

    Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression.

    ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY

    Website: seanmurphy.net
    Substack: seanmurphy.live
    Twitter: @bullmurph
    Instagram: @bullmurph
    Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    59 min
  • Season 4 Ep 8 | Lisa Cooper Ellison | Writing, Resilience, and the Creative Life

    Season 4 Ep 8 | Lisa Cooper Ellison | Writing, Resilience, and the Creative Life
    Sep 16 2025

    In this episode, I'm joined by Lisa Cooper Ellison—author, speaker, trauma-informed writing coach, and host of Writing Your Resilience. Lisa works at the intersection of storytelling and healing, using her personal experiences and clinical training to help writers transform difficult life events into meaningful art. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, HuffPost, Risk!, and more. She recently completed her memoir Please Stage Dive Carefully: How I Survived My Brother's Suicide and Forgave Myself.

    Our conversation explores:

    • The multiple hats every modern writer must wear: creator, promoter, brand-builder, and, most importantly, healthy human.

    • Why curiosity, empathy, and vulnerability are essential to creativity—and how to cultivate them without burning out.

    • What it means to "gaslight-proof" your writing practice and set healthy boundaries.

    • How to share your story in an era of oversharing and constant brand-building.

    • The intersection of trauma and art, and how to transform pain into powerful creative work.

    • Lessons Lisa has learned as a podcaster—from preparation to professionalism—that can serve as a blueprint for others.

    • Practices and mindsets that make for a rewarding creative process, including pushing past comfort zones.

    • The evolving meaning of "literary citizenship" and why it matters for writers today.

    This is part craft talk, part creative therapy session, and part masterclass in how to live a sustainable creative life.

    ABOUT LISA COOPER ELLISON

    Instagram: @lisacooperellison
    Twitter: @LisaEllisonsPen
    Facebook: facebook.com/lisacooperellison
    Website: lisacooperellison.com

    ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED

    Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression.

    ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY

    Website: seanmurphy.net
    Substack: seanmurphy.live
    Twitter: @bullmurph
    Instagram: @bullmurph
    Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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    1 ora e 7 min